Development of a competency model for the Doctor of Public Health degree

From 2006 to 2009, the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) worked with Public Health academicians and practitioners to develop the first core competency model for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. The DrPH Model is based on the ASPH MPH Competency Model developed by ASPH in 2006, which serves as the expected level of entry skills for additional doctoral knowledge and skill development during the doctoral program. A consensus conference was held with leaders in graduate education and representatives from various ASPH partners to discuss DrPH workforce needs, employment opportunities for graduates, the perceived value of the degree, current variability's across programs, and potential competency domains. Seven DrPH degree core competency domains were identified by the consensus conference leaders, including: Advocacy, Communication, Community/Cultural orientation, Critical Analysis, Leadership, Management, and Professionalism and Ethics. Workgroups were then assigned to develop the specific competencies which would be essential for exhibiting capabilities in each core domain upon graduation with a DrPH degree. Each Workgroup subsequently identified and specified 8-10 competencies per competency domain. The guiding criteria outlined for the development of the competencies were that they would be: teachable, readily observable, measurable, at the higher level of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, and key to transformational leadership in public health. While the model is not meant to be prescriptive, it is intended to serve as a catalyst for evolving discussions regarding the essential knowledge and skills future DrPH graduates should possess for leadership in the field.